Designed uniquely for fans of China's ancient towns.5 well-known ancient towns including Pingyao, Dali,Lijiang, Hongcun and Tongli reflect different aspects of the rural and original lifestyles and cultures that one's never seen before.

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Day by Day Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Beijing Arrival (Flight not Included)

Destinations & activities: Airport - hotel transfer

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport, your Beijing tour guide will pick you up and take you to hotel for check-in.

- Smart Tips:

The drive from the airport to your hotel takes about 1 - 2 hours depending on the traffic.

This tour doesn't include international flights. However, we would be happy to help you book the flight. Please contact us for details.

Today's Beijing tour lists up three must-visit attractions: Firstly, you will walk on Tian'anmen Square. Later, walk into China's long history at the Forbidden City, where you will visit four major parts of the palace: the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Palace of Heavenly Purity and Royal Garden.

After lunch, you will visit where the Chinese emperors used to summer: the Summer Palace. Walk along the lakeside pavement and visit the Garden of Harmonious Virtue inside the palace.

- Smart Tips:

For dinner tonight, we would like to recommend a Peking Duck bite at Hua's Restaurant (or Huajia Yiyuan), decorated in a royal mansion style. Check out our "Solo Adventure" tag for more information.

Meals: Breakfast and Chinese Lunch at Baishida Restaurant

Day 3

Beijing

Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall

Destinations & activities: Temple of Heaven, Great Wall at Mutianyu Section and a cloisonne factory

Local people like to start their morning at the parks, and Temple of Heaven is one of the most popular ones. This morning, you will pay a visit at this famous site. Later, you will be on the way to the Great Wall at Mutianyu Section. A round-trip cable car ride is included. You will stop by a cloisonne factory before you go back to Beijing.

- Smart Tips:

The distance between downtown Beijing and the Great Wall at Mutianyu Section is 2 hours depending on the traffic. On the way, you will see the rural side of Beijing.

If you would like something more exciting, you can choose a slide-way drive downhill. Request with your travel advisor.

After today's tour, perhaps you need some rejuvenation. Chinese traditional massage, acupuncture and Spa might be an ideal way to pamper yourself. Check out our tag for more information.

Meals: Breakfast and Chinese Lunch at Xinshuangquan Restaurant

Day 4

Beijing to Taiyuan, Taiyuan to Pingyao (By Train No. D2003)

Visit a local family inside the Hutongs.

Destinations & activities: Hutong visit, the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling and transfer to the train station

This morning, you will be a part of the daily culture inside Beijing's old Hutong by rickshaw. Also, you will visit the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, which is also the birthplace of China's last emperor Pu Yi. Have lunch in a courtyard house restaurant.

At noon, your Beijing tour guide will take you to the train station. An afternoon train will lead your trip to Taiyang. From Taiyuan, your private car will escort you to Pingyao, the charming ancient town of Shanxi Province.

Check in upon arrival.

- Smart Tips:

Train No. D2003 leaves at 1319 and arrives at 1645.

The distance between Taiyuan and Pingyao is about 1.5 hours depending on the traffic.

Honored as one of the best preserved ancient towns in China, Pingyao Ancient Town keeps the history alive. Today you will spend a whole day at this great town. You will visit Rishengchang Draft Bank, the first bank in China dating back to 1644. Later, have lunch in a famous old restaurant.

The major color tone in Pingyao Ancient Town is black and dark green. White shirt or light-colored clothes might cause overexpose while taking photos.

Tap water in Pingyao is pumped up from wells that are mostly over 200-meter-deep, thus the boiled water you drink at the hotel or retsuarant is a bit salty. We suggest you drink bottled water if you don't like the taste. (FYI, Nongfu Spring is one of the best brands for bottled water.)

There are many stores and vendors selling Pingyao Beef and claim themselves to be the most authentic. How to spot good beef? Make sure you buy the beef that is pink but not red and bagged in kraftpaper bags. Guanyun is one of the best brands to choose.

At the evening, your tour guide will take you to the train station. An overnight train will take you to Xi'an.

- Smart Tips:

The drive from Pingyao to Shuanglin Temple is within 30 minutes, to Wang Family's Grand Courtyard is within one hour.

Train to Xi'an leaves at 2047 and arrives at 0700 next morning (* Note: train delay happens sometimes) Train travel in China can be new for you. We arrange soft sleeper train for your comfort and it's wise to keep an eye on your stuff.

The vast Erhai Lake is home to several minority groups in Dali. Today you will take a pleasant boat trip on the lake. Later, drive to Xizhou Bai Village, where Bai people live. Have lunch and then we will be back to Dali.

Afternoon, you will take a free walk in Dali Ancient Town and experience the exotic lifestyle and culture.

- Smart Tips:

Cycling around Erhai Lake is an adventureous challenge that can amp up your China holiday. Ortherwise, get around the nearby countryside on wheels. Ask your Dali tour guide for advice and help if you're interested. (* Note: We wouldn't recommend elderly people go for this trip.)

A free walk in Lijiang Ancient Town is neccessary for you to learn about its Badong and Naxi cultures that are different from what you've seen in Dali. Later, get on the Wangu Tower on the Lion Hill to view the whole lovely town.

- Smart Tips:

The distance from Dali to Lijiang is about 4 hours.

Please note: No lunch arrangement for today but we will make a stop in the middle of the road for simple food (your expense). You can take some snacks and water.

The distance from Lijiang to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is about 1.5 hours.

Please note: Yak Meadow is 3,800 meter from sea level and there might come an altitude change while the cable car goes up the mountain, however, most people won't feel any physical uncomfort. Please let your tour guide know if some phyiscal problems occur.

Meals: Breakfast and Chinese Lunch at Misi Restaurant

Day 13

Lijiang to Shanghai (Flight No. FM4950)

Destinations & activities: Hotel - airport transfer

Today you will take a 5-hour flight to Shanghai. Check in upon arrival.

Today you will see Shanghai in different faces: firstly, a city full of colonial tinge as you walk along The Bund. Later, a thriving big city as you get a bird's view at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and visit Shanghai History Museum. Have lunch in a gracefully-set restaurant.

Today you will enjoy a free morning in Shanghai. In the afternoon, you will fly to Huangshan. Check in upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 17

Huangshan

Yellow Mountain

Destinations & activities: Huangshan

Today you will spend a whole day at Huangshan, aka Yellow Mountain. Have lunch in a restaurant on the top of the mountain.

Legend has it that Huangdi, the famous Emperor from ancient times, used to live at Huangshan as a supernatural being. Doubtlessly, today you will unfold the legend by yourself.

Meals: Breakfast and Chinese Lunch

Day 18

Huangshan to Shanghai (Flight No.FM9266)

Hongcun Village

Destinations & activities: Yellow Mountain, Hongcun Village and transfer to the airport

Ever wonder what the life is like if living in Huangshan? Today you will pay a visit to Hongcun Village. Have lunch in a local restaurant.

Later today, you will take a flight to Shanghai. Free night after check-in.

Meals: Breakfast and Chinese Lunch at Leigang Restaurant

Day 19

Shanghai Departure (Flight not Included)

Destinations & activities: Hotel - airport transfer

How time flies! Today your Shanghai tour guide will escort you to the airport. Hopefully you had a great time with us. See you next time!

Meals: Breakfast

ERA Legend of Time Acrobatic Show

ERA Legend of Time Acrobatic Show has created a wonderful night for many travelers from all over the world. The show is a perfect mixture of China's traditional acrobatic art and modern state-of-art stage technique. (Address: No.2266, Gonghe Xin Road, Zhabei District, Shanghai)

Peking Duck Dinner at Hua's Restaurant

Hua's Restaurant, or Huajia Yiyuan, offers a special dining experience in a royal mansion with authentic royal court food. Peking Duck is also their best specialty.Near Wangfujing Street, you can take an easy after-dinner walk or explore the nearby Hutongs.